Page 28 of Wilde's End
“Maybe you shouldn’t have started this shit with us, then.”
“I wouldn’t have had to start anything if you’d listened in the first place.”
His breathing from our scuffle slows down. “Did you ever stop and think that maybe I’m not leaving because what I left behind is a thousand times worse than whatever you have to throw at us?”
That question hits me in a way it shouldn’t. It’s the same reason so many of us wound up here to begin with, and all I can do is ignore it. I don’twantto understand him. I can’t risk it. “Did you ever stop and think that maybe I don’t give a shit?”
“That would require me to give a fuck about your opinion.”
“So how does this end, huh?” I ask, barely able to hold back from slamming him into the wall again. “I burn down your shit, so you burn down mine?”
“Sounds like a good time.”
“I’d kill you before you got the chance.”
I can only see one side of Hudson’s face, but it’s enough to make out his smile. “Nah. You already told me that you don’t do that.”
“Maybe I was lying.”
“I’ll take my chances.” He shoves back hard but can’t throw me off him.
What he does do might be worse though. His jean-covered ass rubs over my bare cock. I lost the quilt as we wrestled, and as much as I hate everything about Hudson and the reasons he’s here, it doesn’t change that he’s a stupidly attractive man.
Before he can do it again, I angle my hips away, but it’s already drawn my attention to how close we’re standing. He smells like something sweet, and his skin has warmed the thin T-shirt he’s wearing. The T-shirt I can feel every muscle in his back through.
“Why don’t we make a truce?” he asks.
The word disgusts me. “Never.”
“Don’t think you have much choice.” I’m waiting for him to shove me again, but he doesn’t. “I found your place easily enough, and anything you do to us, I’ll do right back. Which reminds me … I hope you weren’t planning on going anywhere today.”
Going … it only takes me a second. “What the fuck did you do to my truck?”
“Don’t know what you mean.” His dry tone makes it very clear he knows what I mean, the same way I know what he’s hinting at.
He let the air out of my fucking tires.
Unlike him, I have easy access to an air pump.
“Fine, then,” I relent, hating myself for doing it. “Let’s negotiate. What will make you leave town? And don’t say twelve million dollars.”
I’m not expecting him to push back this time, but he only manages enough space to turn and face me before he’s pinned again. My forearm presses against his throat, but Hudson accepts every bit of pressure I give him. He gazes steadily at me, and for amoment, all there is between us is hoarse breathing and warring eye contact.
He takes his time to answer me, and when he does, it’s not what I expect. “What happened to your eye?”
He doesn’t need to be specific; I know he’s talking about my scar. He won’t be getting an answer though. “That’s my business. Answer my question.”
“I would, but I don’t think you’ll like my answer.”
I huff and shove against him again before stepping away. Being close to him and his arrogance makes me uncomfortable, and I can’t keep looking into that irritatingly sly expression. We’re getting nowhere fast, and I’m running out of options. “That’s it, then? We keep going until one of us is destroyed?”
“Or we just stop.”
“I can’t stand by and let you sell off Old End.”
“Old End?” He tilts his head, and the lock that curls up above his forehead falls to the side.
“The town,” I grit out.
